NomOrigine Background

Last Name Ferreira-rallo-de-souza

What is the origin of the last name Ferreira-rallo-de-souza?

The surname Ferreira-Rallo-de-Souza is a combination of three Portuguese and Spanish surnames, reflecting a blend of Portuguese and Spanish ancestry. 1. Ferreira: Originates from Portugal. It comes from the occupation of a blacksmith (ferreiro in Portuguese). In the Middle Ages, many people were identified by their occupation as a means of differentiation. 2. Rallo: Origins from the Basque region in northern Spain. The name Rallo is believed to be derived from a place name or a nickname related to a type of bird. 3. de Souza: A common surname originating in Portugal and Brazil, possibly indicating noble ancestry. The "de" prefix is an indication that the person was a vassal (a tenant in feudal society) or descended from someone who held land directly from the king. In the case of the Souzas, they were originally vassals of the King of Portugal. The combination of these surnames suggests that an individual with this name may have Portuguese-Basque heritage, potentially from Spain or Portugal, and possible connections to the nobility or occupation as a blacksmith. However, it is essential to note that the specific origins can vary depending on the individual's family history and regional variations in naming practices.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ferreira-rallo-de-souza

The meaning and origin of the last name Ferreira-rallo-de-souza

The surname Ferreira-Rallo-de-Souza is a composite Portuguese name, formed by combining three separate components: Ferreira, Rallo, and de Souza.

The name Ferreira originates from the occupation of a blacksmith, derived from the Latin word "ferraria" meaning "blacksmith's shop". The name Rallo has its origins in Galicia, Spain, and is believed to be associated with rural or farm-related occupations. De Souza, on the other hand, is a noble Portuguese surname that was originally given to individuals of Moorish or Arabic descent who converted to Christianity during the Reconquista, a centuries-long series of battles in the Iberian Peninsula between Christian kingdoms and the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba.

Over time, these surnames might have been intertwined due to marriages, migrations, or assimilation, resulting in the formation of the composite name Ferreira-Rallo-de-Souza. The exact origin and history for each individual bearing this name may vary based on their unique family histories.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ferreira-rallo-de-souza

The surname Ferreira-Rallo-de-Souza is primarily concentrated in Brazil, as it is a combination of common Portuguese names: Ferreira (meaning 'iron worker'), Rallo (a variant of the Basque surname Irala), and de Souza (meaning 'of Souza'). While the origins of the name can be traced back to Portugal, with the Ferreira and Souza surnames being among the most common in the country, the specific combination appears to have been predominantly adopted by Brazilians. This is due to the historical influence of Portuguese colonization in Brazil, as well as immigration from other Portuguese-speaking regions like the Azores or Madeira. The name's presence outside of Brazil is relatively scarce, with a small number of individuals carrying this surname in countries like Portugal, the United States, and Canada, often due to emigration.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ferreira-rallo-de-souza

The surname Ferreira-Rallo-de-Souza has several variations and alternate spellings. The primary variation arises from different transliteration conventions, resulting in forms such as Ferreira-Rallo-de-Souza, Ferreira-Ralo-de-Souza, and Ferreira-Rallos-de-Souza. Additionally, regional differences may cause slight modifications like Ferreira Rallo de Souza or Ferreira-Rallo De-Souza. Portuguese surnames do not typically hyphenate, so some may omit the hyphens to form FerreiraRalloDeSouza or FerreriaRallodeSouza. It is essential to note that individuals' preferred spellings of their names should always be respected.

Famous people with the last name Ferreira-rallo-de-souza

Notable individuals with the surname Ferreira-Rallo-de-Souza include:

1. José Ferreira de Souza, better known as Zé Ferreira, a Brazilian football coach who has managed several prominent clubs in his home country and abroad. He is known for leading Corinthians to the 2005 Copa Libertadores and the 2006 FIFA Club World Championship.

2. Ana Paula Ferreira Rallo de Souza, a Brazilian scientist specializing in environmental science and ecotoxicology. She has published numerous research papers and is recognized for her work on assessing the toxicological impacts of pollutants on aquatic ecosystems.

3. Rodrigo Ferreira-Rallo-de-Souza, a Brazilian academic who focuses on political science and international relations. He serves as a professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais and has authored several books and articles on global governance and human rights.

Genealogical research on the last name Ferreira-rallo-de-souza

The surname Ferreira-Rallo-de-Souza is a blend of Portuguese and potentially Basque origins, reflecting a rich cultural history. The primary component, "Ferreira," derives from the Old Portuguese occupation of the land by a blacksmith or ironworker. This name was often given to those who worked as blacksmiths or lived near a forge.

"Rallo" may have Basque origins, suggesting possible ancestry from the northern region of Spain or southwestern France. "Rallo" is a rare Basque surname and can be translated to mean "hill" or "mound."

Lastly, "de Souza" is a common Portuguese patronymic that indicates nobility or aristocracy and refers to someone who was the son of a person with the name Souza. The Souza family originated from the Minho province in Portugal, where they were influential lords.

The fusion of these three elements in the surname Ferreira-Rallo-de-Souza creates a unique and complex family history that spans across multiple regions and cultures.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 31 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Fer jana meem (Last name)

surnames > fer-jana-meem

The origin of the last name Ferjanameem is unknown.

Feraer (Last name)

surnames > feraer

The last name "Feraer" is of Norse origin, derived from the Old Norse word "Fjallr", meaning mountain or hill. It is believed to have originated in Scandinavia and may have been us...

Ferah (Last name)

surnames > ferah

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Ferahi (Last name)

surnames > ferahi

The last name 'ferahi' is of Turkish origin. It is likely derived from the Turkish word "ferah" which means spacious or vast.

Feraji (Last name)

surnames > feraji

The last name "Feraji" is of Persian origin. It is derived from the Persian word "feraj", which means "relief" or "deliverance". The name may have originally been a descriptive or ...

Ferak li (Last name)

surnames > ferak-li

The last name "Ferak" has Slavic origins, particularly in the Czech, Slovak, and Polish regions. "Li" is a Chinese surname, commonly found among Han Chinese people.

Feraldo (Last name)

surnames > feraldo

The surname Feraldo is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name Geraldo, which itself is a variant of the name Gerald. The name Gerald is of Germanic origin and mean...

Feralewfe (Last name)

surnames > feralewfe

The origin of the last name Feralewfe is unclear as it does not appear to be a common surname in English-speaking countries. It is possible that it could be a variant spelling of a...

Feranades (Last name)

surnames > feranades

The surname "Fernandes" is of Portuguese origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Fernando," ultimately derived from the Germanic name "Ferdinand," meaning "...

Feranandez (Last name)

surnames > feranandez

The surname "Fernandez" is of Spanish origin. It is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Fernando," which is derived from the Germanic name "Ferdinand," meaning "bold voyager." The...

Ferancis lorens (Last name)

surnames > ferancis-lorens

The name "Ferancis Lorens" appears to be a combination of the English given name "Francis" and the English surname "Lorens" (which is likely a variation of "Lawrence"). "Francis" i...

Feraoun (Last name)

surnames > feraoun

The last name Feraoun originates from the Kabylie region, which is located in northern Algeria. "Feraoun" is a Berber surname that specifically belongs to the Kabyle ethnic group. ...

Ferary (Last name)

surnames > ferary

The surname Ferary has English origins. It is derived from the Old English word "fehr", meaning "ferry", and was likely used to describe someone who lived near or worked at a ferry...

Ferat (Last name)

surnames > ferat

The last name "Ferat" does not have a widely known or documented origin. It is possible that "Ferat" may be of multiple origins or variations depending on the region or country. It...

Feratama (Last name)

surnames > feratama

The last name "Feratama" does not have a specific origin or known meaning in English. It is possible that it may be a surname of Indonesian or Malay origin, as "Fera" is a common I...